2024 Registration is Open!

6-12-24 Hour World Time Trial Championships Celebrates 10^th Year in Borrego Springs

This year the 6-12-24 Hour World Time Trial Championship will be celebrating its 10^th year in Borrego Springs. After moving to Borrego Springs in 2014, the 6-12-24 WTTC has become one of the biggest draws in Ultra-bicycle racing. Racers come from all over the world to compete in the 6-, 12- and 24-hour races to determine who will become World Time Trial Champions. The 24-hour race is a RAAM Qualifier. The 2024 races will take place November 1-3. The 12 and 24-hour races are open to solo racers as well as 2-Person teams, and the 6-hour race is open to only solo riders. There are categories based on gender, age and bicycle type.

Borrego Springs was chosen for many reasons … the weather is near perfect – sunny, with average day time high of 80F, night time low 55F, less than 1/3” (8mm) rainfall during the month of the race, although there can be a surprise now and then. Borrego lies at the foot of the Coast range in a small desert valley. The town is entirely surrounded by Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the largest state park in California, second largest in the nation. The area is easily accessible from San Diego and Los Angeles. With a population of only 3,500, the roads are low traffic, safe. There are no stop lights!

There are plenty of motel options. Many racers and crew bring RVs. There are many restaurant options. The community of Borrego Springs is a great host. San Diego County Public Works inspects the roads, does maintenance and sweeps the roads in the weeks leading up to the race. Few events get this kind of attention.

Every year this event sells out. Registration for the 2024 Worlds opened on April 15. Registration has been open 10 days - racers from 19 countries have already registered. The event is 60% sold out. We expect it will sell out this year as well. Register now to insure you have a spot in the 2024 Worlds!

Register here … https://www.24hrworlds.com/

Upcoming RQs - Two Road Races in Germany and Three 24-Hour Races - 1 in Europe and 2 Domestic

Race Across Germany – 2 Races

The Race Across Germany was organized in 2014 by Dieter Gopfert. The first race ran north-to-south, from Flensburg on Germany’s northern border with Denmark to Garmisch-Partenkirchen on Germany’s southern border with Austria. Later he added a second race, from Aachen on Germany’s western border with Belgium and Netherlands to Gorlitz on Germany’s eastern border with Poland. Both are point-to-point road races.

Racers pass through medieval towns steeped in history. Both are open to solo racers as well as 2-person team with a support crew or self-supported and 4-person teams with a support crew. Both have a 60 racer field limit.  Both races offer live tracking. Solo racers with a support crew or self-supported may qualify for Solo RAAM.

Race Across Germany W-E (Aachen, Germany) – May 31, 2024 The Aachen to Gorlitz race is 800 km (500 miles) with 7,800 mtrs (25,590 ft) of elevation gain. The route runs west-to-east through the heart of Germany. Racers start in Aachen at the Marketplace in front of the town hall and finish in Gorlitz at Europamarathon event area on Elisabethstrasse.

Race Across Germany N-S (Flensburg, Germany) – June 21, 2023    The Flensburg to Garmisch-Partenkirchen race is 1,100 km (680 miles) with 7,500 mts (24,600 ft) of elevation gain. The route runs north-to-south through the heart of Germany. Racers start at the port in Flensburg on the westernmost inlet of the Baltic Sea and finish at the foot of the Bavarian Alps in Garmisch-Partenkirchen at the Olympic Ski Jump Stadium.

More information … https://www.raceacrossgermany.de/

Midt 24 (Snejbjerg, Denmark) – June 15  

Midt24 is a 6-12-24 hour time trial which takes place the 3^rd full weekend of June in the heart of the Jutland Peninsula in Denmark. This year’s race will take place June 15 at the Snejbjerg Hallerne, a sports complex located in the village of Snejbjerg, a western suburb of Herning. The town of Herning – with a population of 50,000 - is the administrative center of Herning Municipality. Herning is a cycling center, home to former professional road racer and Tour de France winner, Bjarne Riis.

The Midt 24 course is flat and fast. The event utilizes 3 loops: Day Loop is 41.72km with 185mt elevation gain; Night Loop is 13.78km with 49mt elevation gain; and Finish Loop is 3.45km with 15mt elevation gain. There are drafting and non-drafting divisions. The races are open to solo racers as well as 2- and 4-person teams. Men must ride 400 miles and women 370 miles in 24 hours to qualify for Solo RAAM.

The region is known for moors and agriculture. Participants will ride through lots of green areas, colorful fields and charming villages. Food will be served throughout the event. Camping is available at the venue. If you are looking for a mid-June 24-hour race, this is the place to be!

More information … https://snejbjergsgi.dk/midt24-dk/

Calvin’s Challenge (Springfield, OH) – May 18

We are very pleased to have Calvin’s Challenge back on the RQ Calendar. Calvin’s Challenge is a once popular domestic time trial that has been brought back to life by Larry Oslund - the same individual responsible for breathing new life into the Sebring 24.

The event was started back in 1991. It was intended to be a training event for the National 24. For much of its history it was a 12-hour event. Oslund explained, “Good friend and previous event director, Larry Graham has just ridden the old 50.5- and 6.8-mile loops and reports the road conditions are good, possibly even better than when he last held the event in 2016. We’re even fortunate enough to have it at the same Shawnee High School location.”

This year there will be a 24-hour non-drafting RAAM Qualifier. Participants in the 24-hour event will ride a new 26.2-mile loop. They will ride as many loops as they can. When they feel they would not be able to complete another 26.2-mile loop, they will transition to the 6.8-mile loop until their 24 hours are completed. Men must ride 380 miles and women 350 miles in 24 hours to qualify for Solo RAAM.

There are 24-hour, 12-hour and 6-hour options as well as a 100-mile option. Each has both drafting and non-drafting options. Each has solo and team options. Clearly, there is something for everyone. Riders in the Midwest should be very happy Calvin’s Challenge is back. Let’s help return this event to its former popularity. 

https://www.bikereg.com/17768

24 Hours in the Canyon (Canyon, TX) – June 1

This year will be the 18^th edition of 24 Hours in the Canyon. The event will take place June 1 in Palo Duro Canyon State Park, located in the Texas Panhandle, approximately 25 miles SSE of Amarillo and 14 miles E of Canyon. Palo Duro Canyon is the most spectacular and scenic feature in the Texas Panhandle. The Canyon floor lies 800 feet below the surrounding Llano Estacado.

The event was organized in 2007 by Ryan Parnell, Director of Operations and Special Programs for the Harrington Cancer and Health Foundation in Amarillo, Texas. This will be the 17^th year for the event. 24 Hours in the Canyon draws 750-800 participants and raises in excess of $300,000 annually for the 24 Hours in the Canyon Survivorship Center - 100% of the funds raised are donated to the Center.

Activities begin with a pre-event hill climb. There are both competitive and non-competitive activities, for people of all ages. There are 6, 12 and 24-hour races. The event is open to both solo riders and teams. The 24-hour RAAM Qualifier starts in the Canyon. Racers climb up out of the Canyon onto the Llano Estacado, ride a 98.5-mile loop, and drop back into the Canyon. They finish riding loops on a 5-mile course in the Canyon. Men must ride 380 miles and women 350 miles in 24 hours to qualify for Solo RAAM.

This is an exceptionally well organized event. There is something for everyone – you will have fun! Plus, all funds go toward a great cause!

More information … https://24hoursinthecanyon.org/

VERTIX ULTRA: The Official Communication System of the Race Across America

With RAAM & RAW just two months away, we thought we’d help some of the racers by offering a discount on the Vertix Ultra racer-to-crew communication system. We have a limited number of units available.

ORDER YOURS HERE: RAAM STORE

For technical questions and technical support: Support@vertixglobal.com

The Vertix Ultra system was specifically developed and designed for ultra-cycling competition with the help of 6-time RAAM winner Seana Hogan, who says, “The best communications ever! Excellent range, wind noise cancellation, and clear sound!"

It's the easiest to use and most reliable system available, and we have them in stock in the RAAM Store. Order yours from the Online RAAM Store.

The standard Vertix Ultra includes a rider and vehicle set. The rider set includes an over-the-ear speaker and USB cable for easy battery pack charging on the go. The Vehicle set includes an exterior mount and wiring for constant USB power, and a standard 3.5mm mic/headphone plug to use the vehicle’s sound system.

Amazingly, it connects automatically when the units are in range.”

One of the most significant advances in ultra-cycling is the development of communication systems that enable a racer and crew to communicate hands-free. Whether it’s a request for water, food, route info, or simply to have a conversation to keep the rider awake throughout the night, the Vertix Ultra offers all of that in a durable and easy-to-set-up and use package.

VERTIX ULTRA VIDEO: https://www.facebook.com/RAAMraces/videos/1001180737583604